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came in the last sentence of a two-minute contribution, and my question was about fare pricing. I know we have seen an increase in the number of people using public transport, which is fantastic, but we need to see more of it. Our emissions are stubbornly high … using public transport by putting up fares is not the way to do it. We have seen increases in train fares for people in Greystones, Kilcoole, Sallins, Kilcock, Balbriggan and Skerries. That is the wrong way to go about trying to encourage people onto public transport

that we can continue to provide effective, sustainable public transport where we can see benefits for the people. Additionally, our fare structures in Ireland for public transport compares very favourably with our European counterparts. I will come back further in the supplementary with other comments

Transport secured €940 million of funding for public service obligation and TFI Local Link services. That was a 43% uplift, a really significant uplift and an increase from €658 million in 2025 to €940 million for next year. This package includes funding for the continuation of various fares … adult card and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025. Funding has also been provided to extend free child fares on public service transport to include those aged five to eight years of age and to support the roll-out of new and enhanced

existing lines in Ballyfermot and Cabra and more trams on the red line? Another way of encouraging a modal shift to public transport is reducing fares. These were cut by 20% in 2022 as a temporary cost-of-living measure and then kept, just like student fees … fees are going to increase, just as is threatened in terms of student fees? Can the Minister of State give a guarantee that public transport fees will not be increased in the coming budget

have said already, it is about connectivity and about ensuring that people have access to travel. We have reduced fares and made public transport accessible. I met the former Minister, Alan Dukes, about Kildare transport. It is a wonderful scheme. I look forward to working with Deputy Wall

Government's failure to deliver essential transport infrastructure. Last Friday, it was reported that commuters would be subject to increased fares to pay for public transport infrastructure and some of these projects have already been in the pipeline for decades. When we are trying to encourage more people … barely afford to make ends meet. They should not be forced to bear the burden of the decades of Government failures in public transport. In fact, it should be the opposite. The previous Government was dragged kicking and screaming by the former Minister to a better position

Deputy that the Government remains committed to making public transport as accessible and equitable as possible. The Minister for Transport has met, and will continue to meet and listen to, the representatives of the commercial operators. While fare initiatives have delivered clear benefits for passengers, they also carry … financial implications, emphasising the need to balance affordability with long-term sustainability of the public transport system. Any decision regarding fare initiatives will be a matter for Government decision during the annual Estimates process. The equity point the Deputy made is valid. I will relay and press

some EU states, they are moving in the other direction, towards free public transport, or certainly free for certain demographics in society. They are certainly not making tone-deaf decisions, such as increasing fares. There is no justification for doing that, even if, as the Minister says, fares … historical high. We are also living in the midst of a climate crisis. What message do the fare increases send to commuters and public transport users? If we, collectively in this House, want to move as many people as possible away from cars towards public transport and secure

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline for the roll-out of contactless fare payments on all public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34135/25

public services. We should have fares as low as possible. People have spoken about places like Luxembourg where free public transport has worked. We need to be reducing fares rather than increasing them and ensure that we have a proper public service. Talking of my constituency, something

have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation, PSO, contracts. In this context, the NTA published the national fares strategy in 2023. This

critical that works commence on the various infrastructure projects that are badly needed. For the day-to-day running of our public transport system, PSO funding is important, particularly for bus routes. Before the budget, we heard a funding gap existed between PSO funding and the funding needed … much of the PSO funding allocated in the budget will be used to maintain existing levels of service, including the current fare reductions and existing public transport services

outdated policies and unequal treatment. Let us start with the unfair exclusion of commercial operators from public fare reduction schemes. This has created a two-tier public transport system. Passengers who rely on private operators, many in rural and urban areas, are denied the cost-of-living supports … This is not the situation at present as a result of the unequal and unfair application of the 20% fare reduction scheme to customers of NTA-licensed public transport services. If this is not addressed, it will further undermine the sustainability of commercial bus operators which are already

services and have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under PSO contracts. They are the PSOs and the actual public ones. I assure the Deputy that improving … accessibility, reliability and affordability of public transport, while ensuring the system remains well funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority of the Government under the programme for Government. The 2026 PSO funding allocation of €940 million represents a significant 43% uplift from last year

public transport, it is important to state there have been many fare changes in recent years. For example, the Government is expanding free child fares and maintaining the young adult student leap card at 50% off, and there is also a 90-minute fare. These are initiatives … incentivise people to use public transport, which is happening. However, we also have to ensure that the frequency is put in place. For example, to take the rail line from Athenry to Galway as a typical example, we are putting in a passing loop to make sure

knows and everyone knows that people are really struggling. We want to get people out of cars and into public transport, and the Government doing this by increasing fares. It is completely counterproductive. People are talking about average increases of 15%. In Dublin, the short Leap fare … behind this is a drive to the privatisation of public services and public transport. We have an increase in the likes of Go-Ahead Ireland and private operators being given public routes. Are these fares about incentivising more private involvement in our public services? Is it about making

Milan, as well as in the Netherlands. I am looking for the expected timeline for the roll-out of contactless fare payments on all public transport

NCSE to halt special education classes in south Tipperary. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the introduction of the new fare zones to the public transport system. Deputy Marie Sherlock - To discuss a review of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss

Special Education, NCSE, to halt special education classes in south Tipperary. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the introduction of the new fare zones to the public transport system. Deputy John Clendennen - To discuss the provision of educational grants for recognised competitions in extracurricular activities. Deputy Marie Sherlock

those attending hospital appointments or social events. Travelling by bus or train should not be a luxury but these fare increases are pricing people out of public transport. Customers of Irish Rail and Bus Éireann certainly do not feel like they are experiencing luxury when travelling aboard these … that these developments came during mobility week. The Government speaks about the importance of sustainable transport and reducing car dependency but in reality, this Government and our transport providers are actively discouraging public transport use in the middle of a climate emergency. The Minister needs to wake

objective, in budget 2025 the Department of Transport secured €658.442 million in public funding for public service obligations and TFI Local Link services. That is an increase from €613 million in 2024. This funding also supports continuation after a 20% fare reduction in PSO services, the young adult … rail services under programmes such as BusConnects and Connecting Ireland. The NTA has strategy responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect to public transport services provided under the PSO contracts. In this context, in April 2023 the NTA published a new national fare strategy

will still have to go to work, college and so on. How will they get there? The Government is pushing people out of public transport and into cars in the middle of a climate crisis, which is incredible. This is 100% a political choice. A different political choice … million to the fast food giants. To reverse this cut and go in the right direction, we should reduce fares and move towards free public transport, which is what we need. People are protesting. They were outside the Dáil today at 6 p.m. They will

child Leap card offering a 67% discount on adult fares. These measures, along with the NTA's recent fare zone adjustments, aim to make public transport more equitable, inclusive and affordable for young people

securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. It is clear this is an NTA responsibility. The NTA also has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers, which … result, passengers should enjoy greater flexibility, and they will also benefit from fare capping, which has not been previously available to passengers in Cork. This initiative is future-proofing the multimodular public transport offerings planned for the city of Cork over the next few years. The Tivoli temporary

funding. We recognise that the NTA applies detailed statistical analysis of fare elasticity to assess the impact of fare increases on passenger demand and overall public transport usage. Notwithstanding these considerations, steady passenger growth is expected to continue in 2027, supported by the ongoing expansion and enhancement … services, which are anticipated to attract additional users and further strengthen public transport demand. The NTA will continue to monitor patronage trends closely as the new fare structure is implemented. Safeguarding the long-term financial sustainability while being responsive to passenger needs remains a central commitment under

asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of any plans to conduct a review of app-based taxi fare models and their compliance with Irish taxi regulations; if he is aware of any plans to ensure transparency and parity in fare structures between licensed taxi operators … based platforms; if there are any Departmental plans to develop a publicly managed NTA taxi-hailing app; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63994/25

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if he has formal announcements to make regarding the promised meeting with small public service vehicle, SPSV, drivers to review the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to address issues; if he has detailed plans to continue to support the SPSV … sector by pressing for a comprehensive review of dispatch-operator licensing; if he will advocate for clear regulations or amendments that address fixed fares, algorithmic pricing practices, priority fees and technology charges, ensure fare transparency and parity, and protect driver incomes; and if he will make a statement